Foster Moms

[CalicoKat]

We had an emergency placement last night. He's 18 months old.

 

Any words of wisdom? It's been 3 years since our last placement.

 

Yes, he got a bath right away and I was able to pick up some clothing before fetching him from the hospital. He had nothing.

[RebeccaS]

:grouphug:

 

I picked up my first foster placement from the hospital. She was very, very quiet. I did the same as you-a nice bath. The next day I kept her as close to me as possible, including her in any way I could with the things I was doing. However, my placement a year older. We read books and I snuggled her-she loved to be snuggled, even from a stranger. :001_smile: My kids were a huge help, too. They played with her (under my direct supervision since she was a bit fragile) and really put her at ease. Good luck!

[Lisa in Jax]

He needs plenty of calm, predictable routine. Tell him what's happening next -- at every step of the way. ("Next, we'll read a book before lunch." Etc.) Be structured but loving. Give him simple but sincere praise for whatever positive behavior you can see. Smile at him. Tell him your home is a safe one with enough food -- over and over and over again.

 

Try not to be loud if he makes you frustrated.

 

Treat him like he's an infant -- do as much for him as you can. Feed him from a bottle on your lap, while speaking lovingly and making eye contact. Make sure he gets plenty of healthy food, lots of water, and enough sleep (even if he seems to be "on the go" all the time).

 

Bless you for making a place in your home for him.

 

Lisa

[CalicoKat]

:grouphug:

 

I picked up my first foster placement from the hospital. She was very, very quiet. I did the same as you-a nice bath. The next day I kept her as close to me as possible, including her in any way I could with the things I was doing. However, my placement a year older. We read books and I snuggled her-she loved to be snuggled, even from a stranger. :001_smile: My kids were a huge help, too. They played with her (under my direct supervision since she was a bit fragile) and really put her at ease. Good luck!

 

He's is loving all the kids here. He likes books. He like to pull out the bottom of the pack and play.

 

I can't get him to eat anything substantial though. Milk and a couple bites from a cracker is about all. I made a sandwich for him but he's not done more than lick it.

[Tap]

He's is loving all the kids here. He likes books. He like to pull out the bottom of the pack and play.

 

I can't get him to eat anything substantial though. Milk and a couple bites from a cracker is about all. I made a sandwich for him but he's not done more than lick it.

 

It can be that he wasn't served much solids before now. It is easier to give a kid a bottle than to feed them. Maybe try spoon feeding him something and see if he grabs for the spoon or if he knows how to feed himself. He may not know how to bite food, so maybe some finger foods like diced bites of sandwich or bites of something else will be easier for him.

[Guest ME-Mommy]

He's is loving all the kids here. He likes books. He like to pull out the bottom of the pack and play.

 

I can't get him to eat anything substantial though. Milk and a couple bites from a cracker is about all. I made a sandwich for him but he's not done more than lick it.

 

Maybe he's not used to eating those types of foods?? :001_huh:

 

Do you have any yogurt or applesauce?? Small diced peaches??

 

The two foster toddlers that we've had in our home did not eat "typical" toddler food -- we think because it had never been offered to them.

 

:grouphug:

[Starr]

I'm not an expert on this but I remember a little guy we had in the hospital many years ago that seemed to have never had regular food. One of the nurses finally brought him some fast food that he finally ate. Maybe put the food in little bites like you do for a younger child? Or see if one of the kids can get him to try what they are eating.

[RebeccaS]

He's is loving all the kids here. He likes books. He like to pull out the bottom of the pack and play.

 

I can't get him to eat anything substantial though. Milk and a couple bites from a cracker is about all. I made a sandwich for him but he's not done more than lick it.

 

 

Just wondering how your day went. :bigear:

 

I agree with the above posters on the food. Depending on his circumstances, he may not have been exposed to the sorts of foods we would expect a toddler to eat. On the other hand, my ds, when he was first placed with us, refused to eat. He sat at the dinner table that night with his arms crossed and he said over and over, "I'm mad!" Poor thing. He was so out of sorts being moved again. Perhaps your little guy will eat better when he's more comfortable?

 

I also agree on the sleep suggestion. Both my ds and that first placement were not receiving enough sleep in their homes prior to mine. A good night's sleep as well as a good nap schedule did a lot for their dispositions.

 

Good luck as you work on figuring things out. I think the first few weeks of a new placement are the hardest, figuring out sleep patterns, eating habits, etc.

[Dobela]

It may take awhile for him to become familiar with the food you are serving. I once had a 2 year old that didn't eat much - until she saw pop tarts and Dr Pepper in the store. Apparently those were her main food items in the former home:crying::sad:

 

You can also expect that meals and eating were very irregular before. The toddler may not even realize they are hungry really.

 

We had another infant around age 1 that had never had even puree baby food. He didn't know what to do with it. From his smallish size, it seems the bottles were either irregular or not filled with formula. So at the pediatrician's instruction he was moved to pediasure until we could get him eating solid foods.

 

ETA: He may also be scared and not able to eat due to his emotions. The ones I had like that would eventually come around once they got accustomed to us, our routine and felt safe.

[CalicoKat]

Just wondering how your day went. :bigear:

 

I agree with the above posters on the food. Depending on his circumstances, he may not have been exposed to the sorts of foods we would expect a toddler to eat. On the other hand, my ds, when he was first placed with us, refused to eat. He sat at the dinner table that night with his arms crossed and he said over and over, "I'm mad!" Poor thing. He was so out of sorts being moved again. Perhaps your little guy will eat better when he's more comfortable?

 

I also agree on the sleep suggestion. Both my ds and that first placement were not receiving enough sleep in their homes prior to mine. A good night's sleep as well as a good nap schedule did a lot for their dispositions.

 

Good luck as you work on figuring things out. I think the first few weeks of a new placement are the hardest, figuring out sleep patterns, eating habits, etc.

Thank you for your support. I can't tell you how much your note meant meant to me . The day has been unremarkable and exhausting. We did get to see his mischievous side later this afternoon. The only food he's interested in eating is the Gerber Puffs for toddlers and a couple bites of pb&j sandwich.

 

I washed the blanket he came with and gave it back to him this afternoon and that made him happy for a while.

[Starr]

:grouphug:

[Terabith]

My kids were never fans of sandwiches at that age. He very well may be scared; I would keep offering milk. Finger foods like puffs or veggie booty might be good, and little pieces of fruit. Frozen peas were a favorite of mine at that age.

 

:grouphug: Poor little guy.

[stephanier.1765]

My kids were never fans of sandwiches at that age. Frozen peas were a favorite of mine at that age.

 

 

Mine too as well as frozen blueberries. You also might want to try bite size pieces of cheese. Good luck to all of you. Poor little dude.

[ma23peas]

Kraft mac and cheese...most kids know these! :)

 

Just wanted to offer encouragment and thank you for an amazing gift your family is giving! :)

 

Tara